Newsletter

Across the region

ATLANTA — Heighten­ed fears over burglaries and fires targeting abortion and obstetrical clinics around Atlanta have triggered heightened security across the country.

The FBI, which is leading a joint investigation, is looking at the cases as possibly domestic terrorism or civil rights violations based on federal laws against intimidation, according to Richard Coes, a spokesman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“We are concerned about the escalation and activity,” said Vicki Saporta, the president of National Abortion Federation, which notified all member clinics about the Atlanta incidents twice this week, urging them to take additional precautions. “It’s not a good sign when one arson follows another, after following several burglaries. Something clearly is escalating there.”

State lawmaker charged with DUI

COLUMBIA — Ted Vick, a South Carolina state representative running for the state’s newly created 7th Congressional District seat, is facing weapons and drunken driving charges.

Richland County jail records show that Vick, D-Chesterfield, was being held Thursday on charges of speeding, DUI and illegally carrying a pistol. Vick was given a personal recognizance bond on the DUI and speeding charges. No bond has been set on the weapons charge.

Vick’s campaign did not comment on the arrest, and it wasn’t known if he had an attorney. A voicemail left on Vick’s cellphone wasn’t immediately returned.